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PRESS RELEASE
Japanese Tech Comes to Play with Big Brother Silicon Valley
The Interactive Summit hosted by J-POP SUMMIT 2016
will introduce upcoming Japanese technology through an exposition,
guest speakers and collaborative forums
San Francisco, CA, June 29, 2016 — J-POP SUMMIT 2016, one of the world’s biggest
Japanese pop culture events has announced that it will once again celebrate the latest inJapanese tech-innovations through their Interactive Summit on Saturday andSunday, July 23rd and 24th from 11am - 5pm at Fort Mason Center, located at 2 Marina
Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123. The annual event bridges the informational gap
between Japan and the U.S. to explore the Japanese tech scene and what Silicon Valley
is currently missing.
The Interactive Summit features two main programs: The Showcase at Festival Pavilion
and Sessions at Gallery 308, both held at Fort Mason Center. For full details, please visit
http://www.j-pop.com/interactive-summit-2016.
1) Interactive Showcase at Festival Pavilion: Nowhere will this stark difference bemore evident than the expo. From human-like robots to wearables for your pet, visitors
will get an early look at the best (and zaniest) that Japanese tech has to offer from wellknown brands and startups alike. Examples include:•MAZDA – MAZDA showcases the latest models at their extensive exhibition
where attendees can play the Sony Entertainment's Gran Turismo Playstation
on-site and virtually enjoy driving the MAZDA car in the game
MAZDA will also host a special panel partnered with Grand Turismo on Sunday,
7/24 at 2:45pm - 3:35pm at Main Stage in Festival Pavilion. They’ll discuss
MAZDA 's design philosophy and challenger spirit, being the only Japanesemanufacturer to win the famous Le Mans 24-hour race in France.

•Washlet from TOTO – a smart toilet that redefined how Japan goes to thebathroom.

•Interactive Projection System (IPS) from NEC Solution Innovators –a newprojection technology that displays virtual images and content to the real world.

•“interactive shoes hub” from FUJITSU x YAMAHA (and Partners) interactive shoes hub is the co-creation platform for the Future of Shoes – forexample, YAMAHA has applied their specialty, "sound," to this platform to createsound based on data collected from movement of feet.

•Interactive Dog Collar from Inupathy – a dog collar that lights up in colorful
patterns to indicate a dog’s emotions, enriching the relationship between ownerand pet.

For the full list of exhibitors, please visit http://www.j-pop.com/interactive-summit-2016
2) Interactive Sessions at Gallery 308: Interactive Sessions at Gallery 308 offers great
learning opportunities for innovators. Attendees can get further involved by participatingin various events with special guests working within the American and Japanesetechnology sectors. Interactive Sessions at Gallery 308 include:!

TOTO/ Washlet Ideathon: Sunday, 7/24 11:00am - 3:00pm Pre-registeredattendees compete in a group to present brand new ideas about the future
lifestyle of the smart bathroom technology. Sponsored by TOTO USA.

!

POP Tech Pitch: Startup Pitch Contest: Saturday, 7/23 Sat 11:00am-1:00pm
Japanese and American startup companies that aim to start a business in theJapanese Market can propose their services or products, and compete for achance to win a trip to Japan. Co-sponsored by SunBridge Global Ventures,Jetro San Francisco, and Sukiyaki.

!

Talk Session Vol.1: Tech x Life x Design ～ How Will "Designed IoT"
Change Our World? ～ ; 7/23 Sat 1:30pm- 2:25pm
Moderator: Ken Miura (CEO, DouZen)
Panelists: Shinichi Sakane (CEO, Seven Dreamers), Seiichi Saito (Creative
Technical Director, Rhizomatiks), Naoya Edahiro (Industrial Designer), Hideaki
Matsui (Google), Ana Arriola (Founder, CEO & Product Designer, Minimalisms
Inc.)

!

Talk Session Vol.2: “DMM Starter” ～ A New Way of Globalizing Japanese
Products～ ; 7/23 Sat 2:45pm- 3:15pm
Moderator: Takayuki Suzuki (President, ParadeAll)
Panelists: Yusuke Muranaka (Director, DMM.com), Shunsuke Nakamura (CEO,SHIKUMI DESIGN)!

Talk Session Vol.3: Robot x Human // How “They” Will Live with Us;
7/23 Sat 4:00pm- 4:55pm

Moderator: Noriko Takiguchi (Journalist, Robonews.net)
Panelists: Shunsuke Aoki (CEO, Bocco/ Yukai Engineering), Ilya Polyakov(CTO,Kubi / Revolve Robotics) and more.
!

Talk Session Vol.4: CRAZY & HIGH-TECH “INTERNET OF THINGS” FROMJAPAN!～ The Diversity of SAMURAIMAKERS; 7/24 Sun 4:00pm- 4:55pm
Moderator: Takashi Homma (CEO, Hom.ma Inc.)Speakers: Joji Yamaguchi (CEO, Inupathy), Takayoshi Ishii (CEO, AsakuraGiken), Yuya Kikukawa (CEO, No new folk studio)

For details on the sessions and speakers, please visit http://www.j-pop.com/interactivesummit-2016.

This year, J-POP SUMMIT attendees will be able to experience a vibrant 2-Day
celebration of Japanese pop-influenced culture including edgy fashion events, pop art
exhibits, live music, a technology summit and display, and interactive activates,accented by ramen vendors, sake-tasting, and additional attractions also highlighted bycelebrity Guests of Honor. Full details on 2016 J-POP SUMMIT are available at:www.J-POP.com.
A variety of affordable ticket options and V.I.P packages will give J-POP SUMMIT
attendees the maximum amount of flexibility to customize a memorable festival
experience. Adult single-day passes start at only $25.00 each; 2-day passes start at$40.00 each. Ticket details are available at www.J-POP.com/Tickets.
###About JPOP-SUMMIT
J-POP SUMMIT is one of the world’s biggest Japanese pop culture events, held every
summer in San Francisco, CA. By introducing the latest in Japanese music, fashion, film,art, games, tech-innovations, anime, food, as well as niche subcultures, the festival hasbecome a landing platform for new trends from Japan.
Official website: www.j-pop.com
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JPOPSUMMIT/featured